Mayor Matson spoke for nearly an hour, giving brief updates on city projects, including flood mitigation and the Deer Creek sewer line.
"We're running a sewer out west...to take pressure off our sewer system, take pressure off that water pollution control point, which is probably, in my view, and I tell this to our respective federal and state partners, the number one thing we need money for," Mayor Matson said. "Because it's old, and the city council is now discussing a whole heck of a lot of money to fix it with partnerships in Bettendorf and other small communities."
Matson suggested that the sewer extension would also open up opportunities for urban development in the western part of the city.
The mayor also touted the opening of the Davenport Fire Station 3 on 42nd Street, which improves response time.
"What's cool about this is the community center and the police have an office to work out of," Mayor Matson said. "That's a great thing to bring the community into our facilities and see what's going on; this is a great investment, and oh, by the way, we paid off the bill already...so...I think."
Mayor Matson discussed the ongoing hiring process for multiple positions, stating that it could take two to three months before final offers are made.
"We're looking for a city administrator...looking for a corporate counsel, and we're also looking for a chief communication officer cause maybe that's not temporary anymore over there at the school district."
Matson hopes the firm conducting the search and the city council agree on a final candidate by September for a city administrator.
During his address, Mayor Matson spoke on the importance of community input.
"Input from our people, our citizens, are the most important. Sometimes, it's tough, and sometimes that discussion is tough, and sometimes the input is tough," Mayor Matson said. "That's what's so great about this community: its input and the caring of its citizens that keep us on our toes and make us understand what the priorities are."
The mayor did not address the apartment building collapse in downtown Davenport.
